ITHACA, N.Y. — Despite coming back from a two-set deficit
to force a decisive fifth frame, the Dartmouth volleyball team was edged by
Cornell Saturday night in Ivy League action, 25-22, 25-14, 23-25, 13-25, 15-10.
The loss snaps a five-game win streak for the Big Green (2-15; 1-6 Ivy League)
in the all-time series against the Big Red (6-12; 2-5 Ivy). Dartmouth has now
lost its past seven matches.

Tied at two
sets apiece, the two squads battled in the tiebreaker for rights to the match.
The score was tied four times early in the frame, but eventually Cornell was
able to pull away for good. Tied 7-7, the Big Red went on a 4-0 run that forced
a Dartmouth timeout. Even after the visitors talked things over, Cornell
continued to dominate, scoring three of the next four points for a 14-8 lead
that brought up match point. A Dartmouth service error ended the Big Green's
hopes.

After the
hosts took a two-set lead, Dartmouth buckled down and won the next two. Cornell
had taken a 13-8 lead in set three and looked to be in control of the match,
but a 9-3 run gave Dartmouth renewed confidence and a narrow 17-16 lead. The
score remained close for the rest of the frame, but Elisa Scudder's kill
ultimately gave the Big Green a 25-23 victory.

With
momentum in their favor, Dartmouth dominated the fourth set, winning 25-13.
Trailing 7-6, the Big Green went on a killer 13-2 run to take a 19-9 advantage.
Seven Cornell errors contributed to the lopsided scoring, and a final Big Red
attack error sealed the victory to force a fifth set. Nonetheless, the Big Red
pulled together when it mattered, bouncing back for the match victory.

Dartmouth
returns to the court next weekend, facing Harvard and Princeton for the second
time this season, this time on the road. The Big Green will face the Crimson
Friday night at 7 p.m. before taking on the Tigers Saturday at 5 p.m.